The resurgence of a past romance scam is making waves online, following the exposure of a cross-dressing man known as “Sister Hong” who deceived hundreds of men into sending him gifts and engaging in sexual acts. This recent incident has reignited public fascination with an older case from nine years ago, which has since amassed over 10 million views.
The earlier scheme involved a woman who reportedly dated 20 different men over a six-month period, convincing each of them to buy her a new iPhone 7. She later sold the unopened phones for over 6,000 yuan each, earning more than 120,000 yuan in total. The money was then used as a down payment on a flat in her hometown. Online commenters have dubbed her “the master of Sister Hong,” admiring what they view as a more calculated and less explicit approach to manipulation.
In a report published in 2016, the woman, who worked a modest clerical job in Shenzhen, shocked her colleagues after posting about her property purchase online. Her co-workers, previously unaware of her side dealings, were stunned by the revelation. One colleague expressed disbelief, stating, “We could not imagine she is such a person. She has a bubbly personality and gets along well with us.”
The woman’s operation became public after a trading platform confirmed receiving and reselling 20 nearly untouched iPhone 7 devices. “We received an order from a woman who had 20 new iPhones, most of which were still sealed,” said an employee. “She made over 120,000 yuan from the sale.”
Despite the media buzz surrounding the case at the time, it remains unclear whether the woman faced any legal repercussions. Her actions have since been reframed in light of recent events, with many comparing her strategic maneuvering to the more overtly disturbing tactics used in the “Sister Hong” case.
The latter involved a middle-aged man who disguised himself as a woman to engage sexually with over 1,000 men. He secretly filmed encounters and shared them online. Authorities in Jiangsu province arrested him for disseminating obscene content, and investigations are ongoing.
Online reactions to both cases reflect a mix of amusement, admiration, and criticism. As these stories continue to spread, they highlight the evolving nature of digital-age deceit and the complex public responses they generate.
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